Veteran actor Mangal Dhillon breathed his last this morning (11th June) in Ludhiana. He had been suffering from cancer since quite long and was admitted to a hospital at Nillo Kalan in Ludhiana district in Punjab. He had shifted to his village before a few years and used to deliver spiritual discourses in schools, colleges and gurdwaras. Mangal was an extremely kind person.
Mangal Dhillon got his acting break with TV serial Katha Sagar (1986) but he gained fame and recognition with Ramesh Sippy’s television serial, Buniyaad. Among his other popular TV serials were Kismet, The Great Maratha, Rishta, Junoon, Woh Jo The Ek Messiah Maulana Azad, Yug, Mujrim Hazir and Noorjahan. Besides TV, he worked in a number of Hindi and Punjabi films. He also produced and directed some Punjabi films. His debut film was Rakesh Roshan’s Khoon Bhari Maang. Among the many films he was seen in are Zakhmi Aurat, Dayavan, Border, Khal-nayak, Swarg Yahan Narak Yahan, Jeevan Ek Sanghursh, Naaka-Bandi, Lakshmanrekha, Apna Desh Praye Log, Train To Pakistan, Azaad Desh Ke Gulam, Pyar Ka Devta, Akayla, Dil Tera Aashiq, Yugandhar, Ranbhoomi, Bhrashtachar, Dalaal, Vishwatma, Zindagi Ek Juaa, Sahibaan, Chal Mere Bhai, Heer Ranjha, Hitler, Janasheen and Nishana. He was last seen in Punjabi film Toofan Singh.
A very fine actor, Dhillon was an extremely popular name in Punjabi cinema. He was born at Wander Jatana in Faridkot district in Punjab. After his primary education, he moved to Uttar Pradesh with his father, where he completed his secondary schooling. He returned to Punjab where he completed his graduation. He first joined theatre in Delhi. In the days when four-letter words were considered taboo on stage, Mangal spoke such words in his stage-play, with flourish. It may be added here that the audience loved his audacity.
Mangal Dhillon would’ve celebrated his birthday on 18th June. He was in his early sixties.
His last rites will be performed today at 4 p.m. near his village.